In an effort to somehow organize the massive amounts of mail that gets delivered each day, and eliminate the piles that used to sit on our kitchen counter, I designed and built this handy sorting station in just a few hours. I’ve also included one of my favorite building tricks for “nailing blind” in Steps 8-10. Lastly, you can check on my DIY Font Stencil tutorial, which I used to create the labels on each Box.

Click the image above to view to the Building Plans, and click the tabs below to view the tools, materials and cut lists.

 

Cost: $25

Time: 3 hours

Difficulty: Moderate. Building the boxes is easy, but attaching them to the backer board requires some careful nailing. Don’t worry, I’ll show you a trick to getting it right!

Note: This list may contain affiliate links

Miter Saw

Jigsaw

Circular Saw

Drill/Driver

Pneumatic Nail gun

Hand Clamps

(1) ¼” x 4′ x 4′ plywood

(1) 1 x 3 x 6′ board

(5) ¼ x 2 x 3′ board

(4) 2½-inch Wood Screws to mount the assembly on the wall

1 inch Finish Nails

1¼-inch Finish Nails

Wood Glue

1 x 3 Box Side – 8 @ 8 inches

1 x 2 Box Bottom – 4 @ 11 inches

¼-inch Plywood Box Fronts – 4 @ 12½ x 8 inches

¼-inch Plywood Backer Board – 1 @ 14 x 48 inches

¼ x 2 Trim Boards – 8 @ 12½ inches (Miter ends at opposing 45-degree angles)

¼ x 2 Trim Boards – 8 @ 8 inches (Miter ends at opposing 45-degree angles)

 

Steps

 

1. Cut the Parts

 

Using a the cut list above, cut pieces to size. On each 1 x 3 Side Board, mark a cut line that tapers from the front edge of the board to 1 inch from the front edge at the opposite end. See the building plans above for a detailed drawing of this part.

TIP: Get straighter cuts with the circular saw using our DIY Cutting Fence tutorial.

DIY Wall Mail Sorter by Build Basic - Step 1

www.Build-Basic.com2. Assemble the Sides and Bottom

 

Lay the 1 x 2 Bottom Board between the 1 x 3 Sides flush with the skinny end of the taper. Apply wood glue to the ends of the Bottom Board. Using a pneumatic nail gun, drive two 1¼-inch finish nails through each Side and into the ends of the Bottom to hold the parts in place. Repeat to assemble the remaining Box Side and Bottom pieces.
DIY Wall Mail Sorter by Build Basic - Step 2

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3. Add the Box Fronts

 

Apply wood glue to the top edge of all the frame pieces. Lay the ¼-inch plywood Box Fronts onto each tapered frame. Position the plywood so that it’s flush with the outside edge of each corresponding frame piece.
DIY Wall Mail Sorter by Build Basic - Step 3

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4. Secure the Box Fronts

 

Using a pneumatic nail gun, drive 1-inch finish nails through the plywood Fronts and into the Side and Bottom pieces.
DIY Wall Mail Sorter by Build Basic - Step 4

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5. Add the Trim

 

Position the ¼ x 2 Frame pieces on the plywood Fronts to create a border on each assembled Box. Make adjustments to the pieces as needed. Apply wood glue to the backside and cut ends of each Frame piece, and then position it back in place.
Build a DIY Wall Mail Sorter - Building Plans by @BuildBasic www.build-basic.com

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6. Secure the Trim (Part 1)

 

Using a pneumatic nail gun, drive 1-inch finish nails through the side and bottom Trim pieces and into the 1 x 2 Bottom boards and 1 x 3 tapered Side boards.
DIY Wall Mail Sorter by Build Basic - Step 6

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7. Secure the Trim (Part 2)

 

Using hand clamps, secure the top Trim board in place, and allow it to dry.
DIY Wall Mail Sorter by Build Basic - Step 7

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8. Position the Boxes

 

Lay all four Boxes on the ¼-inch plywood Backer Board. Center the Boxes on the width of the board with equal 4-inch spacing between them, and 2-inches from the top and bottom of the Board. Now draw a line along the sides and bottom of each box.
DIY Wall Mail Sorter by Build Basic - Step 8

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9. Mark the Box Placement

 

Since we’ll be nailing through the backside of the Board and into the Boxes to hold them in place, we’ll first have to create a map on the back of the Board so we’ll know where to nail. To do this, remove the Boxes from the Board. Using a drill/driver and a small drill bit, drive holes about ¼ inch inside the lines marked in Step 8.
DIY Wall Mail Sorter by Build Basic - Step 9

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10. Attach the Boxes to the Backer Board

 

Apply wood glue to the backside of the Boxes, and clamp them back in place on the Board. Now flip the assembly over, and trace a line between the holes drilled in Step 9. Using a pneumatic nail gun, drive 1-inch nails through lines on the backside of the plywood to secure the Boxes in place.
DIY Wall Mail Sorter by Build Basic - Step 10

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MORE BUILDING PLANS

 

10 thoughts on “Build a DIY Wall Mail Sorter

  1. Pingback: 23 Clever Living Room Organization Ideas For Your Apartment

  2. Anonymous

    I may be mistaken, but the materials list does not account for the (4) 1×2 bottom pieces. In order to get true 2″ width, you’d need to rip a 1×3, requiring an additional 4′ of 1×3 board or 10′ in total.

    Reply

  3. Pingback: DIY Wall Mail Sorter/Organizer | Pinspiration Mommy

  4. Amy C

    Is there an easy way to print the plan with all of the info on one sheet? Thank you – can’t wait to build this!

    Reply

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